The Square Kilometre Array (SKA), one of the world's most significant scientific projects, provides notable benefits to South Africa in the form of education, skills and capacity development, especially in the fields of science, technology and engineering.
The Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Prof. Blade Nzimande, made this clear in an oral reply to the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) earlier this month.
Minister Nzimande said the international SKA project, a big science project that is attracting experts from across the world and is building high-level research capabilities in South Africa, is also responsible for a range of educational programmes that are developing technical skills and fostering innovation, particularly in the local communities near the SKA site in the Karoo.
Administered by the South African Radio Astronomy Observatory (SARAO), the SKA's Research Capacity Development Programme supports undergraduate and postgraduate students and postdoctoral fellows in areas related to radio astronomy, physics, mathematics, electronic engineering and astronomy.
The programme also provides financial support, mentorship and skills development to enable students to advance to the next level of their education. It has contributed to the development of teaching and research capabilities in astronomy and related fields in South African universities.
The Technical Capacity Development Programme benefits Karoo communities by giving young people in the area technical and artisanal training that can be used to support the SKA telescope operations. This initiative addresses the local need for job-ready technical skills, helping to meet the project's operational and infrastructure needs while also improving employment prospects for community members.
Under the Strategic Partnerships Programme, SARAO and international partners, including the United Kingdom, collaborate to train students in the advanced skills essential for radio astronomy and innovation. By providing students with international exposure and scholarships, the programme contributes to the development of a globally competitive research community in South Africa.
At primary and high school level, particularly in schools near the SKA site, SARAO has seconded qualified mathematics and science teachers to local schools and provided ICT infrastructure like WiFi connectivity. It has set up a computer laboratory at Carnarvon High School.
The programme also includes initiatives like the Lego Robotics programme and interventions to boost reading with comprehension, both of which contribute to foundational skills and innovation among younger learners.
Minister Nzimande told the NCOP that under the SKA-related educational programmes, over 1 317 research grants have been awarded since 2005 and more than 330 young people from local communities have received artisanal and technical training.
The Minister highlighted the success of international collaboration efforts, saying, "Over 1 100 students have benefited from basic training in radio astronomy, with many advancing to master's and doctoral programmes through international scholarships. This collaboration ensures that South African students are at the forefront of global scientific innovation."
The programmes have also made significant strides in supporting high school education in local communities. More than 300 mathematics and science bursaries have been awarded to high school learners in Carnarvon.
In 2019, pupils from Carnarvon High School won an award at the International Lego League competition (a schools-based robotics tournament) in Uruguay.
The Minister acknowledged that "some programmes ha[d] faced challenges due to resource limitations and logistical issues in rural areas," but that "SARAO remains committed to addressing these obstacles and expanding the reach of its educational programmes."
"By supporting academic growth, technical skill development, and international collaborations, the SKA is playing a vital role in advancing South Africa's position as a leader in global radio astronomy while uplifting the communities surrounding the project. These programmes have already made significant progress and will continue to contribute to the country's educational landscape for years to come," said the Minister.
